DE2057130A1 - Portable spinal support - Google Patents

Description

Richard U. Light, Route 3, Pelto n, Michigan, USA

Portable spinal brace

The invention relates to a portable spinal support for use in chairs, seats and the like.

People who have repeated back problems, are often forced to sit on uncomfortable seats, who do not support their spine adequately. Therefore, especially after prolonged sitting, develops on An uncomfortable seat creates an uncomfortable feeling in the back muscles of the seated person, resulting from this Discomfort in spite of all changes in the body position can not be relieved and the uncomfortable. Leave your seat and yourself has to move for a while before she sits down again. This causes considerable embarrassment, in particular In an event room, theater or the like. Where the seated person cannot simply stand up and walk around. The same problem also occurs in modern automobiles on, the seats of which are often inclined at such an angle that they support the back muscles of some occupants of the vehicle are uncomfortable. Therefore, e.g. the driver of the vehicle is sometimes forced to interrupt the journey, to get out of the car and walking around for a while, so the back pain be alleviated. But this is the case with today's high-speed traffic not always feasible or harmless on the motorways, unless the vehicle is on a side

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sti'eifen or a rest stop on the motorway. Otherwise, the driver will be briefly distracted from the road while trying to find the right place to relieve his discomfort and rope pain in the spinal area. ICr can thus get into obviously dangerous situations.

It is now disadvantageous to support a portable whirlpool which the person concerned must always wear and not be able to carry it with you in an inconspicuous manner, so that the support is always present, but in many cases also very much is annoying. '

Accordingly, it is an important object of the invention to provide a portable spinal brace that is commonly used by one person suffering from back pain inconspicuously guided that can be used for most people and occasions fits, so does not need to be adjustable, and that of little Weight, easy to manufacture and easy to maintain, with individual parts should be easily exchangeable if necessary.

A spinal support of the type mentioned at the beginning is according to the invention designed such that two superimposed flexible ilachteile are provided on an elongated main support are, between which elongated stiffening elements are arranged at least substantially in a fixed position, and although with a parallel course in at least two areas, which are arranged at a distance from one another and in between a Zv; i sohen area have, stretch width is dimensioned so that it has the V / l spinal columns; -; erend des ßenu bzers übo t.-deci ·: fc.

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Thus, the vertebral column support according to the invention can be used by the user be transported in an inconspicuous way, in your it is camouflaged as an ordinary object, the usual sla briefcase, handbag and the like is carried. This is achieved in that the elongated main support consists of two superimposed flexible flat parts which are provided with elongated stiffening elements in at least two areas at a distance from and parallel to one another., wherein the flat parts can be folded towards one another and optionally can be closed like a bag. The Fitted with a strap or a snap fastener so that the outer longitudinal edges of the envelope are brought together and can be held together. Furthermore, the portable spine brace can be positioned along one side of the sleeve an additional pocket for storing papers and the like. without impairing the function of the spinal support. This is essentially based on that the area between the adjacent parallel edges that is spaced apart from one another is sufficient, ixra to cover the width of the user's vertebral column, so that the spine itself with the outer areas in which the stiffening elements are housed, not comes into contact.

It can be seen that the inven tion support as a normal item in the manner of a man's briefcase or handbag is portable and consists of readily available chen light components, which can be assembled to recover the 1eicht en, easily transportable support with ease. In case of breakage or damage to the \ ^r ersteifungsel em en ts may stop short of the spine to be replaced. It is cheap to manufacture and can

without difficulties in the use-capable state will. It is not necessary, the support for everyone

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pretend individual users because they are based on your Simplicity is adapted to the conditions of the majority of 'people.

Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description of exemplary embodiments based on the drawing. Show in it:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a seat on which a using the portable spinal brace of the present invention Person sitting,

Fig. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the portable vertebral column brace according to the invention;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view along the line III-III in Fig.2 _f

FIG. K shows a sectional view of a modified embodiment, similar to that shown in FIG. 3, but with an auxiliary pocket for flat objects.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of the invention with the folded ^r 'spine support,

Fig. 6 is a side view of yet another embodiment one, spinal support according to the invention,

Pig. 7 shows a sectional view along the line VII-VII in FIG and

8 shows a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 7, but with folded vertebral column support.

Some language is used below for convenience only of the description and not used restrictively. The words "above", "below", "right". and "left" show the Direction in the drawing to which reference is made. The words "inside" and "outside" refer to Directions to the geometric center of the device and certain parts of the same or away from this center.

Fig. 1 shows a portable insert or spine support 10 between the back of a person M and the bent portion 11 of the seat S. The curved portion 11 of the seat S has elastically dividing the tendency in the groove of the dashed line Normals shown back zukehr on

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and to press against the back of the person M, which often disturbs or irritates their back muscles. However, brought into the position shown portable spine support 10 supports the spinal column dor person M in a straight and upright position, thereby be alleviated pain and discomfort or eliminated.

The transportable spinal column support 10 has two elongated layers, plates or sheets 12 and 13 made of a flexible material, which are attached to their university edges along seams 16, 17, 18 and 19 to obtain a cover 20 by riveting, welding, sewing or with glove Snap fasteners or press studs or are attached to one another in some other appropriate manner. The leaves 12, 13 are long enough to come into abutment against the desired part of the body of the average person, usually the lower and middle back muscles, and to hold the spine in an upright position. At one end of the shell 20 'an opening 21 is provided which allows access to the interior. In the embodiment _drawn%, a zipper 22 is any suitable type for closing the opening 21, so that the sheath 20 can also be easily opened to allow access to its interior, as desired.

In this embodiment the blades are 12.13 in .three longitudinal sections 23, 24 and 25 divided, approximately are the same size, but can optionally have a different size. These sections are through Seams. 26 and 27 separated, which by sewing, welding, riveting or the like. are formed. The distance between the Seams 26 and 27 is preferably large enough to accommodate the Average width of the spine of the To span person M, so that the sections 23 and 25 with the back area of the person M at opposite

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Sides of the Wix-Bel column can come into contact. The seams 18,17,26 and 16,17,27 form two pockets 28 and 29 respectively (Fig. 3).

Stiffeners 31 and 32 can be inserted into pockets 28, 29 of sections 23 and 25, respectively, through opening 21. The stiffening parts Jl and 32 can be made of, for example, about 6 mm thick plastic or wood or another light material with stiffening properties. They can be permanently held in position at will or can be detachably arranged by means of a device associated with the ends of the pockets, such as the zipper 22 shown here. The stiffening elements 31 and can also be straight or curved as desired, in order to take into account the circumstances of the respective user.

The flexible leaves 12 and 13 can be made of plastic or leather, which can have an ornamental design and contributes to the portable spine brace as a briefcase or to camouflage any other flat object normally worn by passers-by.

For use, the portable spine brace is unfolded, as shown in Fig. 2 and 5, u d inserted between his back and the armrest of the seat, preferably at its lower part, as shown in FIG. The support 10 is arranged so that the spine is received by the part located between the stiffening elements is, namely from the section 24- (Fig. 2 and 3) or from the corresponding section in the other embodiments of the support.

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The body parts of the user located on both sides of the spine come to the stiffened sections 23 »25 of the Support 10 to the plant. These stiffened sections 23> 25 thus serve to keep the lower back part straight or proportionate to keep level without the shape of the seat being able to cause a forward deflection or lordosis. Of the The user can therefore also sit on a seat, the curvature part L of which is a backbone deflection or Aggravate lordosis and cause pain. Thanks to the use of the portable spine brace 10 are however, the back muscles are adequately supported by the spine to hold in an upright position and thereby allow the person concerned to sit for a longer period of time without suffering pain and discomfort. The flexibility of the middle section 24 allows it of the support 10 to bend according to need or the load, so that the stiffened sections 23, 25 in get into the correct position on the user's back.

In the portable insert or spinal support 10A shown in FIG. K , the same reference numerals are used for corresponding parts of the support 10, but with the suffix "A". The portable spinal support 10A shown in FIG. K is similar to that shown in FIGS is attached. In Fig. However, only two seams L6A and ISA are shown k. The pockets 20A, 29Λ can be permanently closed at will and contain the stiffeners 31A, 32A permanently, or they can be opened or closed by any suitable device, for example with the aid of the zipper 22 according to FIG. The additional flexible sheet 33

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forms with the sheet 12Λ an auxiliary pocket 3 ^ i which is large enough to accommodate a number of flat objects made of paper or other material can. An opening 35 is provided on one edge of the sheet 33 for access to the interior of the pocket "} k . If desired, a heat seal can be provided for the opening 35. Optionally, a single zipper similar to the zipper 22 can be provided at the end of the Support 1ΟΛ can be provided for the simultaneous opening and closing of the opening 3 ^ and the pockets 28a, 29A. Such a spinal column support can therefore be carried and used quite inconspicuously as a briefcase.

In the portable insert or spinal column support 10B shown in FIG. 5, the same reference numerals are used for corresponding parts of the support 10, but with the addition "B". The portable Wii-belsa'ulenstütze 10B shown in Fig. 5 is similar to that shown in Figs. 2 and 3, only that now a tape or strap 37 is attached to a fastening point 38 next to the seam 16B on the sheet 12Π on its free edge . The free end 39 of the band 37 'is provided with a fastener kl which cooperates with a suitable fastener (not shown) attached to the sheet 12B adjacent the seam 18B. The section 2 ^ B is flexible and forms a Umsdilagbereich. The support 10B can thus be folded to half size around the envelope area 24b and the fastener 14 attached to a fastener (not shown) adjacent the seam 18B so that the support is kept in the folded state. The band 37 can optionally be replaced or supplemented by a releasable fastening device, for example snap fasteners, which are fastened between the seams or the surfaces in the vicinity of the seams 16B or IBB. In this way, the portable spinal support 10OB can be disguised as a woman's handbag or another object usually worn by people in everyday life.

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Yet another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS Pig. 6 to 8 shown. A layer 41 of a flexible sheet material, for example leather, textiles, Plastic and the like. Folded back so that on the one hand a folded edge 42 and on the other hand free edges 43, 44 are formed which are preferably sewn, hemmed in or otherwise finished to improve the appearance.

A number of relatively rigid strips 46 to 48 are provided on one side of the support; on the other side of the support there is a further number of similar strips y 1 to 53. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each group comprises three strips, which has proven to be a very favorable number. According to a smaller or larger width of each individual stiffening element, however, the number can be increased or decreased accordingly, in order to take into account different wearing properties, e.g., manufacturing conditions and other influences as required. In the illustrated embodiment, the strips 46 to 48 and 51 to 53 are preferably made of wood, but they can also be made of plastic or another rigid material. The strips 46 to 48 and 51 to 53 can be fastened to one surface 41A of the sheet material layer 41 in a suitable manner, for example by means of an adhesive.

Between the strips 46 to 48, 5 ^ to 53 and the other There is one on each side 41B of the flat material layer 41 Padding 5 ^ · or 56. This padding can in itself any suitable thickness or wall thickness on iron, but are preferably not so thick that the required flat shape and the compact dimensions of the finished article were affected. In practice Cushions made of foamed polyethylene in a thickness of about 3.2 mm to 4.8 mm have proven to be useful.

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In the exemplary embodiment, such a padding, for example the padding piece y \ in FIG. 7, is shown as a continuous, one-piece padding for the entire adjacent strip group 46 to 48. It can be seen that, if necessary, it is also possible, although not so easy to manufacture, to insert individual padding strips between each individual one of the strips and the layer 41B.

The free edges 43, 44 and the adjacent ends or End faces are connected to one another in a suitable manner, in particular by sewing, gluing or also by internal welding.

In this embodiment, too, an area 57 is provided between the two groups of stiffening elements, which in the section 24 between the stiffened sections 23, 25 of the embodiment shown in FIG is equivalent to. The function is the same as explained above, namely the support of the user's spine.

The mode of use of this embodiment also corresponds to that described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 became. A special explanation is therefore unnecessary, but it should be emphasized that due to the padding on only one side or surface of the stiffening elements, the user has the option of choosing either the harder one or the other, as desired turn the softer side or surface of the support towards your back. This will improve the performance characteristics of the column further improved, so that it is even more versatile.

Although a few preferred exemplary embodiments according to the invention have been explained in more detail, modifications of the support structure or the arrangement are within the scope of the invention different parts possible, e.g. the use of 'more than three longitudinally articulated sections-

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All features and advantages of the invention which are evident from the claims, the description and the drawings, including Constructive details, spatial arrangements and procedural steps can be used both for themselves and in any combination be essential to the invention.

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Claims (1)

I 1 1 Claims Portable spinal support for use in chairs, seats and the like, characterized in that two flexible flat parts (12, 15; 41A, 41B) lying one above the other are provided on an elongated main support (10), between which elongate stiffening elements ( 51,32; 46 to 48; 5 ^ to 53) are arranged, with a parallel course in at least two areas (23,25; 58-59), which are arranged at a distance from one another and in between one, essentially in the middle located intermediate area (24 or 57), the width of which is dimensioned so that it covers the spinal column area of the user. 2. spinal support according to claim 1, characterized that the main support (10) at least two pockets arranged at a distance from one another (28, 29), in which the stiffening elements (31, 32; 46 to 48; 5I to 53) in a fixed position to the main support are held. • 3 · spinal support according to claim 1, characterized that the stiffening elements (31,32; '46 to 48; 51 to 53) on the main support (10) are attached by a binder. 209808/0260 4. Spinal support according to one of claims 1 to 3 » characterized in that the stiffening elements at least in groups a number of strips (46 to 48; 51 to 53) arranged in parallel. ■ - j. - 5 .. 'spinal support according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the stiffening elements (46 to 48> 51 to 53) are attached to the one flat part (41A) and that between the stiffening elements (46 to 48; 51 to 5 ^) _1. "." 1 and the other flat part (41B) padding (54, 56) are attached. 6. Spine support at least according to claim 5 »marked e rejects that a number of stiffening elements (e.g. 46 to 48) is covered by a padding piece (e.g. 5 ^). 7. spinal support according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that separate Padding (54, 56) each one group of stiffening elements (46 to 48 or 5I to 53) cover such that the distance between the Padding is essentially equal to the distance between the groups of stiffening elements (Figures 6 and 7). 209808/0260 8. spinal support in particular according to claim 1, characterized in that the elongated main support (10) has an elongated resilient sheath (20) embedded in the two Areas (23, 25) with two at a distance from one another arranged pockets (28, 29; 28A, 29A; 28B, 29B) is provided, which extend in the envelope (20) along their entire length extend parallel to one another, which can be closed at one end (21) are and in which to stiffen the flexible shell (20) the stiffening elements (31, 32; 31A, 32A; 31B, 32B) are arranged during the Area (24) between the pockets remains flexible, and that the shaping or formation of the spinal column support on the ones provided with stiffening elements Parts of the sheath (20) prevents a concern of the spine, but by arranging the Spine support with pockets running parallel to the spine between the user and the Seat is supported (Fig. 1 to 3) 9 · Spinal support according to claim 8, characterized j marked that the stiffening elements (31, 32; 31A, 32A; 3IB, 32B) from the pockets j (28, 29; 28A, 29A; 28B, 29B) through the closing ^: bare end (21) are removable. 209308/0260 yg ΊΟ. Spinal support according to claim 8 or 9 * thereby characterized in that the elongated, flexible sheath (20) consists of two flexible ones Plates or sheets (12, 13) consists of their Circumferential edges are firmly connected to each other, and that they are also along two seams (26, 27) are firmly connected, which divide the shell into at least three sections, two of which form the spaced apart, elongated pockets (28, 29). 11. Spinal support according to one of claims 8 to 1O _1, characterized in that the sheath (20) is divided into at least three sections (25, 24, 25) of approximately the same size. 12. Spinal support at least according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that that the removable stiffening elements (31, 32) in each pocket (28, 29) • each in one piece from a substantially rigid Material, such as wood, are formed and take up all the space of the pocket in question, and that these "pieces are each sufficiently thick to allow the support (10) to bend appreciably in the longitudinal direction to prevent and thus ensure sufficient support for the spine of the user. 209808/0260 ης 13. Spinal support according to at least one of the claims 8 to 12, characterized in that each pocket (28, 29) with a zipper (22) is provided, e.g. to allow access to the interior of the pockets for replacement to enable broken or damaged stiffening elements (31, 32). 14. Spinal support according to at least one of the claims 8 to 13 »marked by 'an additional plate or an additional Sheet (33) made of flexible material, which at its peripheral edges to the peripheral edges of the Sheath (20) is attached to form an additional pocket (3 ^) which has an opening for the Access to its interior for storing papers and the like. Has (Fig. 4). 15 · Spinal column support according to at least one of the claims 8 to 14, characterized by a belt or tape (37) »the on one of the sheets (12, 13) made of flexible material next to its peripheral edge (16B or 38) is attached and at its free end has a fastening element (41) with another Fastener cooperates, which on one of the flexible sheets along the opposite Peripheral edge (18B or 39) is attached, so that the spinal support (10) to about half of its format is foldable and held in the folded position by the band (37) (FIG. 5). 209808/0260 16. Spine support at least after. Claim 8, characterized by a removable attachment device (37) j their Parts releasably interlock when the shell (20) is in the folded position, which improves the convenience of the collar of the sheath will" 17 · Spinal support at least according to claim or 16, marked as that the releasable fasteners on the same side of the shell (20) and on their adjacent, opposite parallel edges are arranged. 18. Spinal support according to at least one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that dif stiffening elements (31, 32) are even, 19. Spinal support according to at least one of the claims 1 to 17 »" characterized in that the stiffening elements (31., 32j 46 to 48? 51 to 53) curved or arched are, · · 109808/0260